Newspapers / Watauga Democrat (Boone, N.C.) / July 27, 1961, edition 1 / Page 2
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WATlOffAI, gDITOHUt ASSOCIATION NORTH CAIWWfA PUH ASSOCIATION ?? w BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1961 wm - Tour Of Homes The ladies of St Mgry's of the Hills Church, Blowing Bock, have provided a delightful addition to the summer cal endar of events in the annual Tour of Homos, which they sponsor in the intor est of providing additional funds for church purposes. Each soason, a number of tho summor residents of Blowing Bock have gracious ly consented to allow their homes to ho used for this tour, which this year takes place next Friday, July 28, from noon until five o'clock. Official drivers are provided, start ing from the church, and the sponsoring ? ladies charge three dollars for the tour. Groups of ladies act as hosts at each home and refreshments are served by the sponsors at tho Parish House. This year the homes on view Include: Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Lundean and Mrs. Worth Plyler, "West Glow," tho Daiagerfield ham* on Uoville Road. Or. and Mrs. M. 8. Lazaron, "Seven Stories," Wonderland Trail. Mrs. H. A. Easley, "Rock Cliff," Won Trsil Dr. and Mrs. H. L. Newton, "Silver ?tone," Pinnacle Avenue. Those who enjoy these tours annually are impressed with the generosity of those who make their homes available! to the group of church women, who in turn work diligently in making the tour successful, thus enhancing their church activities fund. This year more people than formerly ?re expected to take advantage of view ing these lovely homes, while contribut ing to- a good cause. Tickets have been made available at many public places In Blowing Rock, and may be secured in advance of the tour. Parkway Observance Of local interest is the news that the twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening of the Blue Ridge Parkway is to be ob served August 18, at Wafer Rock Knob, near the Junction of the Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Appropriate ceremonies are being planned and the principal speaker will be the Secretary of the Interior, Stewart Udell. Other dignitaries are expected, includ ing Secretary of Commerce Luther Hod ges and Director Conrad Worth of the National Park Service. We wish the ceremony might have taken place in the Blowing Rock-Boone vicinity, but we can understand the reas oning in selecting the site which is B,000 feet above sea level, the highest point on the route, and which commands a spec tacular view of the Great Smoky Moun tains. After a quarter century the Parkway is the most used facility in the National Park System and bears out the opinion of those who sponsored what used to be called the Scenic Highway, notably Rep reaentatlve Bob Doughton, without whose tireless efforts the mountain top road- might not have been constructed, certainly not for years to come. And while the route was not construct ed with notions of building up a particu lar part of the country ? the Park Ser vice of cuose views it as a national venture? Bob Doughton and others fore saw the tremendous advantage which would accrue to this region. Their judgment is borne out by th? news that now parkway travel constitutes the big gest tourist asset of the area, over which 1,800,000 people traveled and made visits to towns along the way. A lot of us will be present, no doubt, when the anniversary of the Parkway is observed. It has developed the tourist business ia this area to a marked degree, and with the deluge of newspaper and magazine publicity which it has pro duced for the area, will continue to be a top-flight asset In our future develop ment. State Of Franklin But lor the Grit we'd fail U> find out * lot of things, and one of them i* that James Quilland, a Tennessee legislator, recently tried to get the State of Frank lin re-established to make the fifty first state. And needless to say, other Tennessee legislators put the quietus on the proposed legislation, but not before it drew a good many queries from over the country. Although it isn't mentioned in a lot of the history books, the State of Frank lin, it is recalled, had a brief but glor ious existence. Named for Benjamin Franklin, who became the symbol of thrift and hard work, it was located in what waa then North Carolina's western territory, in a region which is now included in Tennessee. The State seceded in 1784 and elected a Legislature and a Governor. Franklin asked for recognition from Congress, but it waa blocked by North Carolina. North Carolina declared the settlers in open rebellion against its authority. The dispute raged for three years, ap proaching the point of bloodshed. After Franklin offered pardons to the rebel lious mountaineers, Franklin drifted to its death. When the Governor's term expired, it is recalled, no one was elect ed to take his place. Maybe the Legislator was prompted to try to re-establish the State because of a nostalgic Interest in the days when tax-gathering was a little less positive procedure. In Franklin, It is said, one could pay his taxes in deer, beaver or raccoon skins; tobacco, rye whiskey, peach or apple brandy, and most other commodities, not to exclude coin of the realm. Since most of the older generation of mountain men relied fairly heavily on corn liquor, and certain families were noted for their prowess with the sprout ed grain mash, we wonder how come the fiery beverage wasn't favored by the tax collector. Maybe none was usually left for the tax man. ?w An Acceptable Test (Grcciuboro Newi) Governor Sanford nude it quite clear at swearing-in ceremoniea of his new 19-membor State Highway Commission, composed largely of bis close political aaaodates, that "our first purpose is to build and maintain roads." The Governor, evidently sensitive to growing comment about his political ap pointments, laid it on the line: "Tbis administration does not intend to stoop to pettinees in politics or any other undertaking We will be above reproach. No dedsjpn can be made on the basis of politics! performance or affiliation. Decisions must be made and the basis of what best owth and needs of our "I expect you to use your best judg ment, honestly applied, in all circum stances. We may commit an error or two from time to time but I have far more confidence in the honest brain than in the unremitting formula of a computer. We will be fair to all, treating all alike, remembering our goal of eco nomic growth." The governor's responsibility from here on out is to see that the commission lives up to his high-sounding words. Roads and highways have to be paved with more then good intentions. Here too the Governor set the test: "I believe government is to seme the purposes of the people. We will measure your aocotnpUafaipents by Utt t?*t," The Big Leap Forward ?? ?? i ? ??? ?wVOM IO KSWSKOU SOME LOCAL HISTORICAL SKETCHES From Early Democrat Files Sixty Yean Ago Jnly 28, INI Coffey Bros, lost a valuable horte last week by colic. The blackberry crop, just now ripening, is the largest that has been known for years. The briars are bending under the weight ot fruit. Excuse us, but we must Insist that our delinquents come to court prepared to settle their accounts. News has reached us that young Mr. Madern, the eighteen-year-old son of Mr. John Madern of Trade, Tenn., suicided on last Sunday by shooting himself through the head with a shotgyn. He had made dif ferent attempts to kill himself but they were always averted by those who kept watch over him, but un fortunately, at an unguarded mom ent, he succeeded in destroying his own life. He was buried on the following Ttay near his home. A. E. Moretz of Silverstone is getting in a fresh supply of grocer ies. The people have found that his prices are right. Lawyer Prank A. Linney has been attending Jefferson court this week. The ice cream supper that was served on the lawn at J. F. Hardin's on last Friday night was quite a success and much enjoyed by those present. It was gotten up for the benefit of the new Methodist church at Blowing Rock, and $10 was realised. Prof. 8. J. Rogers will open school at Trade, Tenn., on the first Monday in August, and the prospect for a very successful terra is most flattering. Prof, and Mrs. R. M. Farthing have decided to take charge of , Cove Creek Academy, and the first session under their management will begin on the first Monday In August. While blasting at Sutherland last week, a Mr. Shelton was hit and instantly killed by a flying stone. The blasting was being done on the lands of Mr. Alex Boyer. We are sorry to know that the mental condition of Mr. J. S. Mast of Cove Creek remains unimproved and it Is feared that his mind is permanently Impaired. Fifteen Years Ago Jul? 27. IMS Miss Margaret Linney ia visiting relatives in Tayloraville and in Mooresfille. Messye. Kennth Linney and 'BUI' Lovill kin returned from a short viait to Tayloraville. Mr. Irvln Trlplett, on* of the pkraeeiw of the county, died at hia home is Elk township last week. He waa H yeara of age. ? Mr. W R. Jurney, of Dade City. Fla., with hia two ions, Howard and Ralph, and brother, Mr. Sam R. Jurney, of Olin, Iredell county, were week and visitors with their sister. Mr*. R. C. Rivera In Boon*. Arrangements for the r* -opening of the Appalachian Theatre in the court houae have been perfected, and the first picture under the new management will be thrown on the screen next Saturday night. See ad and billa. Dra H B Perry and R K. Bing ham operated on Mi*a Ruth Parlier for appendicitis at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pink Patiler, on New River last Monday. Glad to hear that the young lady Is getting en nicely. Peking. ? Secretary Edwin Denby, of the American navy, narrowly eecaped death here In an airplane accident. He was flying at a height of iMt feet aver the Great Wall ?tea the engine ef the plane stalled. The machine was demolish ed in landing, but Mr. Denby was uninjured. Winston Journal. ? Many will doubt that up to a few days ago there lived an American who was older than the United States, but it is positively asserted tha John Shell, who died at Grassy Creek, Ky., the other day had records to prove that he was born in 1788, the year after the Constitution was adopted and the year the United States officially came into exist ence. Credulity is further strained by the statement that this old Kentuckian of 134 left a son, Al bert, by his second wife, aged ?even, as well as son, William, aged ninety. Thirty-Nine Years Ago Jmly 25, 1M< Mrs. Ben Miller suffered back injuries in a fall on the paving io > front of the Appalachian Theatre Monday evening. She if a patient at Watauga Hoapital. Born to Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Hamby, Jr., at Watauga Hoapital, Saturday, a daughter, who was named Pamala Jean Hamby. R. E. Agle spent Tuesday in Greensboro where he was called to be with his brother, E. H. Agle, who has been critically ill. Mrs. Horton Gragg sailed last Wednesday from San Francisco, Calif., aboard the Marine Jumper, for Okinawa, where she will join her husband, Lieut. Horton Gragg of the Army Air Corps, who is stationed there. Mrs. W. M. Matheson and chil dren left Monday for Chicago to visit with relatives. They were ac companied by Miss Ann Smith who will visit there before going to Champaign, 111., to spend some time with a sister, Mrs. Roy John son. They will be away for about a month. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Greer and daughter, Sylvia, of Winston-Salem, were week end visitors with rela tives in the community. The Army is bringing 492 horses, representing "some of the finest blood lines in the world," to the United States from Germany, Aus tria and Italy, to be used to im prove the breed of American horaei. General Eisenhower has asked for an Army of about 800,000 men for fhe next '18 to 20 years, com pared with 188.000 in 1839 He has also asked Congress for legislation permitting the doubling of the of ficer personnel of the Regular Army from 20,000 to 90,000. New York.? After buying a horse at an Army surplus horse auction sale, Nerville Carpenter, a negro war veteran, rode into the Bronx. Becoming sleepy, he lay down for a nap in a park, tying a rope from a l?f of the horse to one of his own ankles. A bee stung the horse and when Carpenter awoke, he was being dragged across the park. His horzontal ride ended about 900 feet later when the rope broke. He was not seriously injured. Just One Thing By CARL GOERCH It's terribly silly, of course, but if you want to have some fun with people along the highway, pretend that you're nodding sleepily over the steering wheel of your car as you're driving along. I tried it the other day, coming back home from Charlotte. There was a group sitting in front of a filling station, and when they saw me apparently going to sleep, every last one 'of them jumped to his feet, ran out into the middle of the road and watched me as long as I was in sight. I imagine that they were might ily disappointed when I didn't run into a ditch. If all the policemen and their families in New York City moved into a town of their own, it would be a pretty large city. Three are approximately It, 000 copa in New York. Everybody knows that fifty or sixty yeari ago North Carolina waa famous for iti tar, pitch and turp entine. Practically all our Uvea we've been saying "tor, pitch, and turpentine." in glib fashion, with out paying any further attention to it. Tommy Gresham brought me up on my heels laat week when some thing was said about tar, pitch, and turpentine and he asked: "What do you mean by "pitch'?" "Why, pitch," we began; "pitch Is er ? a ? Pitch ? la ? And then it suddenly occurred to us that we didnt hare th? slightest idea what pitch la. Tommy said he wasn't eertain either, so we went hack to the office and consulted Mr. Webater. Web says that "pitch la a viscous substance obtained aa a residue in distilling coal tar, wood tar. ate., and occurs naturally aa asphalt." , AFTER ANOTHER Ever wondered how the expres sion "Behind the eight-ball" origi nated? From "The Department of Use less Information" of the Zebulon Record comet the- following infor mation: "The term undoubtedly came from the game of 'Eight-ball Foot.' In this game, the player who pock et* the eight-ball before all of tha other balls are pocketed loses. Quite often the ball which must be played is 'behind the eight-ball' ? that ia, the eight-ball ia In the line of fire and might be pocketed in the player's endeavor to play the proper ball. Thus, 'behind the eight-ball' means hard luck, to be unable to carry on, to have an un tenable position." Thud Sure, our Secretary of State, was telling me the other day that he waa up In the weatern part of the atate recently and had ?topped at a filling station An old fellow waa aettin' up againat the aide of the atation busily engaged in chewing tobacco. Thad walked up to him, atuck out hia hand and aaid, "Eure; from Raleigh." The old gentleman looked him over carefully and then Mid. "No, I'm not. neither; I've been a-livin' here all my life " Here's something rather Inter esting: The first census was taken In 1790 and every ten yean there after. In 1T90, New York ranked fifth, In 1800, she ranked third, in 1810. second, and ever since then she has been ranked first. Here's how North Carolina has stepped along since 1790: third, fourth, fourth, fourth, fifth, seventh, tenth, twelfth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth fif teenth. sixteenth, fourteenth, twelfth, and tenth. KING STREET By ROB RIVERS Around A Lung Time . . Gentile, Generous Letcher Teague was one of the familiar figures around town for forty years and more. . . He came here to establish one of the first Uxicab businesses the city ever bad, and was one of the first to provide service with "gear shift" cars, as opposed to the Model Ts, which had previously been used. At different times, in fairly recent years, he had Quit the taxi business for a while and operated gasoline stations, which invariably were places of outstanding cleanliness and paius staking service. We were saddened the other day when Letcher died, and we ruminated upon the associations of close to half a century. . . . Letcher, like the reet of us, was heir to a good many weaknesses of the fleeh, but as we look back we don't so much think of the debit side of his ledger as we do of a kind hearted neighborly fellow, who always stood ready and will ing to aid a fellow human being when the going got rough. Of all the people we've known closely along the Street we don't recall a man who was inherently more polite, more gentlemanly and possessed of more liking for his neighbor than Letcher Teague. . . . His services and his automobiles and his sympathies were always in evidence when sickness and death struck among his friends, and he stood ready not only to give the coatless man his cloak but also to go with him the second mile. ... If it were given to us to judge, we'd tilt the balances in favor of the guy who loved his neighbor, every time. * * ? * Our Two Towns . . Cap Is Closing Boone and Blowing Rock used to be a long ten miles away, or it seemed long to those of us who've walked, bi cycled, buggied and T-modeled over the old turnpike, and maybe even further apart in the matter of common concern and of common interests. . . . But now the situation is different. Blowing Rock is building farther toward Boone every day, while Boone is reaching steadily and surely closer to our good neighbor to the south. . . . One new motel has been opened this side of Blowing Rock, another is in process of being huilt, the ski slope Blowing Rock is building is roughly between the two towns, and the Tweetsie Railroad, and the Mystery Hill attraction, as well as the new Automobile Mu seum are at the mdiway point. . . . Another new motel is to be built on the Blowing Rock road near the new golf course, two miles from Boone, and the day is nearer than one might think when the two towns will be virtually joined along a magnificent street eight miles long. In the matter of common interests the two towns are even closer, and never have we known of so many bonds of understanding and of good will and of mutual helpfulness as now exist. They should be strengthened in every possible way, for after all Watauga county's two towns ? the one the county seat and educational center; the other the peerless resort community ? are moving ahead as never before. What helps one contributes to the welfare of the other. That such a fine area of good will Mists hastens the development of the entire region. ? ? * * Friendly Mountains , . Ode To The Hills Among the famoua people who have visited and who loved the Blue Ridge mountains was the late Mrs. Elizabeth Merriwether Gilmer, the original Dorothy Dix, and she wrote the following paragraph when asked for a description of the Carolina hills: "When God got through making the balance of the world He took all the beauties that He had left and lavished them upon the North Carolina mountains. Mile upon mile of towering peaks and rugged cliffs He piled against a turquoise sky untli they reached their crescendo in Mount Mitchell. These He clothed with a verdure whose like is not to be seen anywhere else on earth and as if to add richness to richness and beauty to beauty He planted upon them a wealth of rhododendrons and azaleas and dog woods that in their season make the mountains a carpet of pink and mauve velvet or a field of snow. He made rich val leys and all about He set crystal lakes. Most mountains are austere, hard and bare and awe-inspiring, but the North Caro lina mountains are friendly, soft and lovable, and they creep into your heart so that once having known them they are always calling you to come back to them, and when you go you feel that ytfu are going home." Uncle Pinkney (MtcKnight Syndicate) I see by the papers where the new Postmaster General says the finances in his department is all out of whack. He is advising that we got to hike the rates mother notch or two, maybe three. We been fitting that song from ever Postmaster General, Democrat and Republican, fer 40 year and the finances git worse and 'worse and the rate* git higher and high er. About two more Postmaster Generals and it'll be cheaper to go see a feller than write him a letter. I don't think finances Is the only thing out of whack in this department. Fer Mutant, out here on the rural route I can mail a parcel poet package weighing 70 pound, making the 'mall man haul it into town and gtt It off fer me. But if I haul It Into town myself and weigh It at the win dow they wont take but 40 pound of parcel post. Don't ask me why. It's the poet office De partment that's crazy, not me. I ain't saying they ain't some excuse. fer it. Sometime* they is technical reasons fer thing* that dont meet the' eye. A feller haa to figger all the angle* afore he can pas* sound judgement on somepun. I recollect onct when a traveling saleman stopped at Pa SerfgefieU*' houae and a*k him how fur M was ta ta*sa. Pa HIS PALAVARITTS allowed ?? how It wii 4 mile there and 6 mile hack. When the salesman ask him how eome it was more one way than the other. Pa told him he walked straighter going than he did eoming home. The Congress has been working on this problem of pest office finances ao long and gittlng no place that I fingered I better bring U up at the country store Saturday night The thing hadnt been in committee more'n 10 minutes till the feller* had it solved. Ed Doelittle said he was read ing last week where our Guvern ment has spent $96 billion on foreign aid in the last 19 year, averaging around $9.7 billion a year. The poet office Is coming up short about two-thirds of one billion ever year, so Ed allowed as bow we could pinch a little piece of that foreign aid off ever year and pay uo the postal def icit. Zeke Grubb claimed that them countries like the Congo and Vietnam would never miss It especially since the grafters about half of K anyhow. Bug Hookum vent so fur as to favor pinching off a little extra and making all postal services free. He said this would please the constituents and make It nice fer then Congressman at election time.
Watauga Democrat (Boone, N.C.)
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July 27, 1961, edition 1
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